As the relationship between the Chinese army and Zuo Zongtang's troops became increasingly tense, the troops of both sides were piled up on the periphery of Xi'an, making this originally peaceful ancient city once again covered with dark clouds of war.

After Yili's Great Smoky Army and the First Field Division of the Chinese Army were stationed, the Chinese Army had more than 20,000 troops equipped with artillery and cavalry, and their strength was enhanced.

The Chinese army did not attack Zuo Zongtang at first because of insufficient military equipment, but now it has been slowing down for several months, and it is not a big problem to fight a small-scale battle.

Zuo Zongtang himself is definitely unwilling to leave China, and he will not even be willing to be in Xinjiang for a long time!

Therefore, this battle in Shaanxi will determine the degree of unity of China.

Zuo Zongtang's troops had more than twice the strength of the Chinese First Field Division, but the officers and soldiers of the Chinese First Field Division were not afraid, but were always in a tough position.

Fortunately, the cute CEO had issued an order before, so he should focus on instigation and not start a random war unless it was absolutely necessary. Therefore, the First Field Division of the Chinese Army still tried his best to maintain restraint.

The Great Smoky Army was attacking for several days. Yi Li tried to use the method of coercing Li Hongzhang to force Zuo Zongtang to submit.

Li Hongzhang believed that this method was useless for Zuo Zongtang, but indeed, it was of no use.

However, Yi Li knew that the cute CEO didn't like these almost disabled Manchus. When things got to this point, the Smoky Army was actually not very effective. He almost forced a group of healthy soldiers to force the smoke ghosts to charge!

There are so many people who die, this can also cause oppression to Zuo Zongtang!

Public opinion will say that Zuo Zongtang killed many of his own people.

The war continued slowly, and the cute president lived in the capital without any worries, and the soldiers on the front line were not having a good time.

Especially the defenders of Zuo Zongtang in Xi'an City, the First Field Division of the Chinese Army never entered the battle, but the First Field Division of the Chinese Army was right next to him. This was a psychological torture to Zuo Zongtang and the entire Chu army.

The weather in Xi'an in June was already very hot, making the soldiers stationed here miserable.

From the morning, the temperature rose sharply after the sun came out, but everyone had to deal with the constant harassment of the Qing army under Yi Li.

These people are not good at fighting, and the harassment is really powerful. They shout and scold all day long, but that doesn't count, they are still ringing gongs.

Zuo Zongtang stood on the city wall with concern and watched, "It's been five months. When will these people be spent?"

"They can afford to waste it. Behind them is the strong financial resources of China, we can't afford to waste it." Liu Jintang muttered in a low voice.

Zuo Zongtang sighed, "How come I don't know about these? The equipment of the Chinese army is good. The helmet is made of steel and all of them are used. Our muskets are incomparable to others."

Liu Jintang thought to himself: You know everything, why don’t you surrender?

In fact, during this period, Li Hongzhang has been secretly contacting several senior generals under Zuo Zongtang through the Statistics Bureau of China.

Li Hongzhang was well aware of the habits of the Qing army. It was useless to find middle and low-level officers. If you want to find them, you can find the biggest one! However, the results were very little.

Fortunately, the cute CEO was not in a hurry. The cute CEO set a year for Yi Li, but now it has only been half a year. As long as Zuo Zongtang is taken down, the whole country of China will be unified like mercury.

Xuan Jianzhang couldn't help but become angry and proposed to the General Staff of the Chinese Army to send a small group of troops to attack.

After asking the General Staff of the Chinese Army, the General Staff obtained the consent of the President's Secretariat, allowing Xuan Jianzhang to send a small group of troops to assist Yi Li's Smoky Army attack.

Xuan Jianzhang didn’t know how small this small stock was?

A reinforcement platoon was sent first.

He also sent artillery reinforcements. Of course, only one artillery company was transferred from Shanxi, with only more than twenty artillery pieces, but it was enough to shock Zuo Zongtang.

The shells continued to explode in Xi'an city defense, blowing away many Chu troops.

A soldier who was strengthened platoon should not be considered soldiers, they are all very outstanding officers. After all, it was the first time that they were allowed to confront the Chu army directly. These officers took this opportunity to practice gunfire. While suppressing artillery fire, they asked the Great Smoky Army to attack, trying to climb the city wall, and then keep firing. The Chu army on the city defense faced tremendous pressure. As long as they were not careful, or wanted to stop the Great Smoky Army from climbing the city wall, they would be hit by the Chinese army's bullets and fell to the ground immediately.

The direct participation of the Chinese army, especially the First Field Division of the Chinese Army, was the ace among the aces. The participation of the First Field Division of the Chinese Army completely ignited the tension between the Chinese army and the Chu army.

"You can only defend steadily. No, no matter what the situation is, you are not allowed to go out of the city to fight, just defend the city wall." Zuo Zongtang ordered the people below.

"Yes, the commander." The messenger replied.

As time goes by, the morale of Zuo Zongtang's subordinates has become increasingly declining. There is no money, no food, and no reinforcements. It is time to do so, why are you still carrying the attack of the Chinese army like this?

The public opinion in the entire Qing court was desperately helping Zuo Zongtang to promote it, and even praised Zuo Zongtang as a hero of the Qing Dynasty, which was about to go bankrupt.

"How is the loss of the army now?" Zuo Zongtang was anxious, and his willpower began to shake.

In fact, what Zuo Zongtang wants is not an exaggeration. Originally, Xinjiang and Hui tribes were all defeated by him, or he pacified them. He just asked for autonomy from China and thought about becoming a local emperor. He thought that the cute president would agree to him!

Moreover, Zuo Zongtang also believed that if he surrendered like this and became an adviser from now on, he would not be able to bear it. Zuo Zongtang was good at power and fame, not like Li Hongzhang, who was also powerful, full of official addiction, and good money.

"More than 300 more brothers died yesterday!" Liu Jintang said coldly.

Zuo Zongtang nodded and said, "It seems that it is hard to say whether he can stay until July."

What Zuo Zongtang didn't say was that he ran away in July.

However, it seems unlikely that July was a plan formulated by Zuo Zongtang. If he did not hold on to July, he decided to flee to Gansu.

Xuan Jianzhang asked the General Staff of the Chinese Army again to increase the number of people participating in the war. This time, Xuan Jianzhang directly issued a number and asked to send a regiment to attack!

After knowing the situation, President Meng ordered the Chinese Army's First Field Division to attack the entire line.

During the communication with the capital, the First Field Division of the Chinese Army not only set up telegram lines, but also telephone lines, so that they can communicate in a timely manner.

The decision made by President Meng personally after he spoke to Xuan Jianzhang on the phone. Now it is equivalent to President Meng indirectly commanding the operation of the First Field Division of the Chinese Army.
Chapter completed!